STRONG — Twenty-seven students have navigated through the first year of Regional School Unit 58’s pre-kindergarten program, learning simple tasks and recognizing letters in their names.

“We’re very happy with the results,” Superintendent Susan Pratt said.

In April 2014, directors agreed to commit $30,000 to prepare for pre-kindergarten classes in Phillips, Kingfield and Strong, with the first class enrolling in September 2015. Strong has 15 students, and Kingfield and Phillips each have six.

The program was offered for two full days in each school.

Teachers and educational technicians worked with the Phillips Head Start program in a partnership with the district. Students were introduced to physical education, music, art, library services and other skill-building activities.

“Students learn to walk into the school building and take care of their own needs,” teacher Jennie Mirlocca said.

Social skills can include the simple tasks such as forming a line and recognizing their names on lunch cards.

The curriculum follows the Maine Department of Education’s Early Learning Standards for literacy and comprehension, among other measurable goals for each grade level. Teachers can address any special learning needs before the children have difficulties in a more structured classroom environment.

Students have enjoyed the pre-kindergartners, Strong School Principal Felecia Pease said. She said she was extremely satisfied with the first year’s efforts.

“I knew this was the right thing, but these were uncharted waters,” Pease said. “I think that if adults just let kids figure it out, they do.”

The pre-kindergartners sit with students in grades K-2 at lunch and carry their own trays in the lines. They have started the transition into kindergarten by attending monthly assemblies with the other nine grades.

Avery Pratt recently met Kerri Phillips, who will be her teacher in September.

“I went to visit the kindergarten class,” Pratt said. “It was bigger.”

Teacher Jennie Mirlocca at Strong Elementary School leads students through lessons that encourage imagination and curiosity. Although students aren’t expected to learn the alphabet, they are encouraged to learn the letters in their names and identify them easily.

“Today we went fishing for letters,” pre-kindergartner Mya Gellman said.

She said she also is looking forward to swimming lessons at Porter Lake this summer.